Erzgebirgskreis — Mountainous Region Famous For Its Lace-Making

To the south-west of Saxony, bordering the Czech Republic, is the mountainous Erzgebirgskreis. Sitting in the very productive Ore Mountains, this region is cold. Winter can last six months and it has been affectionately called Saxon Siberia. ;-)

However the culture and people of this region more than make up for the weather. Ski-resorts compete with pretty lace-making villages. Health resorts in the hills try to draw you away from the historic old towns in the valleys. The great forests in the summer alternate with huge Christmas markets in the winter.

The area around Erzgebirgskreis has a history of metal working — being so close to the source of it. As a result there are lots of small industries; including a tradition of “carillon” making — leaving St. John’s in Lößnitz with 23 giant bells in its tower and an annual spoon-making festival!

Across the region, there is also the so-called Silver Road, allowing you to locate some important sites in the area’s history.